scholarly journals To which extent a convalescent plasma therapy could be a benefit for COVID-19 patients?

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-257
Author(s):  
Abdelmonem Ali ◽  
Ahmed Abuelhassan ◽  
Ebtehal Fawzi ◽  
Alfatih Albasher ◽  
Sheima Elbasheer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Donors ◽  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
High Infection Rate ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Target Dose ◽  
Plasma Therapy ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Extensive Effort ◽  
Shed Light

The emergence of an unprecedented pandemic SARS-COV-2 caused perplexed in the medical community because of a high infection rate and rising mortality among COVID-19 patients. Till now, there is no particular treatment for the disease; nevertheless, there is an extensive effort from scientists to find out an immediate therapeutic plan to show how to deal with the current situation. One of the solutions currently presented is Convalescence plasma (CP). Through this narrative review, we will shed light on CP's efficiency as a therapeutic agent for COVID-19, especially there is no proven vaccine or antiviral available up to date. CP could be considered one of the therapeutic approaches, but some limitations are still considered before it is established as a therapeutic agent. Along with evaluating CP from blood donors, the plasma companies could take future steps by manufacturing a target dose of globulins that contain standardized antibody, to reach the terms of health setting administering therapy.

Acute Schistosomiasis in Paediatric Travellers and Comparison with Their Companion Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shira Rabinowicz ◽  
Eyal Leshem ◽  
Eli Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Medical Center ◽  
Acute Illness ◽  
Steroid Treatment ◽  
Interquartile Range ◽  
Short Exposure ◽  
High Infection Rate ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Asymptomatic Children ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Systemic Hypersensitivity

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis in non-immune travellers can cause acute schistosomiasis, a multi-systemic hypersensitivity reaction. Little is known regarding acute schistosomiasis in children. We describe acute schistosomiasis in paediatric travellers and compare them with adult travellers. Methods A retrospective study of paediatric travellers (0–18 years old) diagnosed with schistosomiasis at Sheba Medical Center. Patients’ findings are compared with those of adult travellers from the same travel groups. Results 18 children and 24 adults from five different trips to Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and Laos were infected (90% of the exposed travellers). The median bathing time of the infected children was 30 minutes (interquartile range 15–30 minutes). The most common presentations were respiratory symptoms in 13 (72%), eosinophilia in 13 (72%) and fever in 11 (61%). Acute illness included a median of 2.5 symptoms. Three children required hospitalization and three were asymptomatic. Fatigue was significantly less common in children compared with similarly exposed adults (33% vs 71%, p = 0.03). Rates of hospitalization and steroid treatment were similar. The median eosinophil count in children was 1045 cells/μL (interquartile range 625–2575), lower than adults [2900 cells/μL (interquartile range 1170-4584)], p = 0.02. Conclusions Children may develop acute schistosomiasis following a short exposure to contaminated freshwater, demonstrating a high infection rate. Severity seems to be similar to adults, although children report fatigue less commonly and show lower eosinophil counts. Disease should be suspected in children with multi-systemic illness and in asymptomatic children with a relevant travel history.

Difference of MreBCD Complex Interactome in Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 and ST213 Genotypes on Pathogenesis and Stress Response Pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reyna Cristina Zepeda-Gurrola ◽  
Gerardo Vázquez-Marrufo ◽  
Xianwu Guo ◽  
Isabel Cristina Rodríguez-Luna ◽  
Alejandro Sánchez-Varela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Bacterial Virulence ◽  
Eukaryotic Cells ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
High Infection Rate ◽  
Differential Interaction ◽  
Sequence Variations ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

: Salmonella enterica is the etiological agent of salmonellosis, with a high infection rate worldwide. In Mexico, ST213 genotype of S. enterica ser. Typhimurium is displacing the ancestral ST19 genotype. Bacterial cytoskeleton protein complex MreBCD play an important role in S. enterica pathogenesis, but underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this study, 106 interactions among MreBCD and 15 proteins from S. Typhimurium Pathogenicity Islands 1 (SP-I) and 2 (SP-2) involved in both bacterial virulence and stress response were predicted in ST213 and ST19 genotypes, of which 12 interactions were confirmed in vitro. In addition, gene cluster analysis in 100 S. Typhimurium genomes was performed for these genes. The in silico and in vitro results showed a novel MreBCD interactome involved in the regulation of pathogenesis and stress response through interactions with virulence factors located at SPI-1 and SPI-2. Furthermore, both pseudogene presence and sequence variations in four tested proteins between genotypes resulted in differential interaction patterns that are involved in Salmonella motility and survival in eukaryotic cells, which could explain replacement of ST19 by ST213 in Mexico.

scholarly journals Research on intervention methods of nosocomial infection in neurosurgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Sung-Won Kim
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Severe Trauma ◽  
High Infection Rate ◽  
Intervention Measures ◽  
Bacterial Drug Resistance ◽  
High Infection

<p>The proportion of critically ill patients from neurosurgery wards in hospitals is significantly higher than that from other departments. These patients suffer from low immune. At the same time, because of the severe trauma after surgery and the complexity of pathogens in patients, antibiotics are frequently used. However, the of bacterial drug resistance is relatively high because of the particularity of hospitals, which is a major reason for the high infection rate of neurosurgery patients. Therefore, regarding to these risk factors, intervention measures should be actively explored in hospitals, so as to control the infection rate, reduce the possibility of infection in neurosurgery patients, improve the rehabilitation efficiency of patients, and reduce unnecessary suffering of patients caused by infection. This is also an effective means to improve the quality of hospital medical care. </p>

scholarly journals Iron metabolismin conditions of infection. Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 90-99
Author(s):  
Yuriy P. Orlov ◽  
N. V Govorova ◽  
V. N Lukach ◽  
G. A Baitugaeva ◽  
A. V Klementyev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Bacterial Flora ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Iron Supply ◽  
Review Analysis ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Iron Exchange

The purpose of writing the review. Analysis of publications on the role of iron metabolism in the manifestation of the septic process and the dependence of bacterial flora activity on the conditions of their access to iron. Methods. More than 200 publications in pubmed, Medline, EMBASE medical literature databases were analyzed between 2000 and 2018 using the search words: iron and infection, iron and sepsis, iron exchange, iron and bacteria - including and available works in domestic (e-library) literature. Results. The review uses materials from 61 publications that meet the challenges of the search and reflect both the relationship between iron exchange and the development of the septic process and the importance for the medical community of understanding the identified relationships in the search for future therapeutic approaches. Conclusion. The review provides evidence of direct iron involvement in the manifestation of the septic process caused by various bacterial (q/-) and fungal flora. Introduction of iron-hesing agents and ciderophon - conjugate drugs to infected patients today seems to be a biologically acceptable approach as an auxiliary therapy in the treatment of septic process caused by pathogens dependent on iron supply (many bacterial and fungal pathogens), but the problem that is being raised certainly requires further experimental and clinical research.

Long-term results of thigh arteriovenous dialysis grafts

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Kim ◽  
Cynthia Bhola ◽  
Naomi Eisenberg ◽  
Janice Montbriand ◽  
George Oreopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Error ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Primary Patency ◽  
Upper Extremities ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
High Infection Rate ◽  
Cumulative Proportion ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Arteriovenous Access

Introduction: A proportion of hemodialysis patients exhaust all options for arteriovenous access in upper extremities. Arteriovenous thigh grafts are a potential vascular access option in such patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all thigh arteriovenous access grafts placed between 1995 and 2015. The clinical, demographic patient information and patency of each thigh graft was determined from the time of surgical creation placement until abandonment, transfer to other modality, or center or end of study, and the reason for access failure documented. Results: In total, 44 patients received 49 thigh arteriovenous accesses. The average age was 60 years (13–79 years); Half (53%) of the patients (n = 24) were female and 61% of the patients (n = 30) of arteriovenous accesses were left-sided. The cumulative proportion surviving (primary patency rates) at 12, 24, and 28 months were 43% (standard error = 9%), 33% (standard error = 9%), and 13% (standard error = 9%), respectively. The cumulative proportion of surviving grafts at 12, 24, and 48 months were 61% (standard error = 8%), 58% (standard error = 9%), and 31% (standard error = 13%), respectively. In total, 37 revisions were performed in 22 patients to maintain patency or eradicate infection. Infection occurred in 20 patients (39%) of thigh grafts requiring 16 patients (80% of those affected) to be removed; 14 patients had grafts (33.3%) that served as the lone hemodialysis arteriovenous access during the patients’ lifetime on dialysis. Conclusion: Arteriovenous thigh graft access is used infrequently, but they have an acceptable patency. Some accesses require revisions and they have a high infection rate. Despite this, an acceptable proportion of leg grafts provide durable access for the dialysis lifetime of the patient.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications of Exosome Nanovesicles in Lung Cancer: State-of-The-Art

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rezvan Mohammadi ◽  
Seyede A. Hosseini ◽  
Somaye Noruzi ◽  
Ailin Ebrahimzadeh ◽  
Amirhossein Sahebkar
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Targeted Drug Delivery ◽  
Malignant Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Prognostic Biomarker ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Lipid Surface

Lung cancer is a malignant disease with a frequency of various morbidity, mortality, and poor prognosis in patients that the conventional therapeutic approaches are not efficient sufficiently. Recently, with the discovery of exosomes, researchers have examined new approaches in the development, diagnosis, treatment, and drug delivery of various cancer, such as lung cancer, and display various its potential. Investigation of exosome-derived lung cancer cells contents and preparation of their exhaustive profile by advanced technics such as labeling exosome with nanoparticle and types of mass spectroscopy methods will assist researchers for take advantage of the specific properties of exosomes. Moreover, scientists will present encouraging ways for the treatment of lung cancer with loaded of drugs, proteins, microRNA, and siRNA in specific antigen targeted exosomes. This manuscript will include brief details on the role of exosomes as a novel prognostic biomarker (by the content of lipid, surface and internal protein, miRNAs, and LnRNAs) and therapeutic agent (as vaccine and targeted drug delivery) in lung cancer.

scholarly journals Identification and ecology of alternative insect vectors of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ to grapevine

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Quaglino ◽  
Francesco Sanna ◽  
Abdelhameed Moussa ◽  
Monica Faccincani ◽  
Alessandro Passera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Sequence ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Insect Vectors ◽  
High Infection Rate ◽  
Sequence Analyses ◽  
Bois Noir ◽  
Euscelidius Variegatus ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Potential Alternative ◽  
Opening Up

AbstractBois noir, a disease of the grapevine yellows complex, is associated with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ and transmitted to grapevines in open fields by the cixiids Hyalesthes obsoletus and Reptalus panzeri. In vine-growing areas where the population density of these vectors is low within the vineyard, the occurrence of bois noir implies the existence of alternative vectors. The aim of this study was to identify alternative vectors through screening of the Auchenorrhyncha community, phytoplasma typing by stamp gene sequence analyses, and transmission trials. During field activities, conducted in Northern Italy in a vineyard where the bois noir incidence was extremely high, nine potential alternative insect vectors were identified according to high abundance in the vineyard agro-ecosystem, high infection rate, and harbouring phytoplasma strains characterized by stamp gene sequence variants found also in symptomatic grapevines. Transmission trials coupled with molecular analyses showed that at least eight species (Aphrodes makarovi, Dicranotropis hamata, Dictyophara europaea, Euscelis incisus, Euscelidius variegatus, Laodelphax striatella, Philaenus spumarius, and Psammotettix alienus/confinis) are alternative vectors of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ to grapevines. These novel findings highlight that bois noir epidemiology in vineyard agro-ecosystems is more complex than previously known, opening up new perspectives in the disease management.

The Art of Working With Nature in Nature-Based Therapies

2020 ◽  
pp. 105382592093363
Author(s):  
Lia Naor ◽  
Ofra Mayseless
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Basic Belief ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Therapeutic Goals ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Shed Light

Background: Nature-based therapeutic approaches have largely centered on the significance of nature, as a unique setting. This article focuses on an additional perspective, that of nature as actively influencing the therapeutic process, providing significant content. Purpose: The main objective of this study was to shed light on how practitioners experience, perceive, and work with nature to serve therapeutic goals. Methodology/Approach: Grounded theory inquiry was implemented. Data included in-depth interviews conducted with 26 nature-based practitioners with different professional backgrounds from five countries and field observations of six nature-based workshops. Findings/Conclusions: Four major categories emerged: (a) A basic belief among practitioners that nature is actively influencing the therapeutic process, providing significant and relevant personal information; (b) the practitioners’ relationship with nature and its role in the therapeutic process; (c) the practice of working with nature so nature’s input is acknowledged and integrated intentionally; (d) creating the conditions for the clients’ engagement with nature as a resource via five themes. Implications: This study expands on common notions of nature-based facilitation, illuminating the possibilities and potential of integrating nature’s input as beneficial and relevant to the therapeutic process by working with nature. The operational and practical steps for working with nature are delineated.

scholarly journals Atg8-Family Proteins—Structural Features and Molecular Interactions in Autophagy and Beyond

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Wesch ◽  
Vladimir Kirkin ◽  
Vladimir V. Rogov
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Interacting Proteins ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
Shed Light

Autophagy is a common name for a number of catabolic processes, which keep the cellular homeostasis by removing damaged and dysfunctional intracellular components. Impairment or misbalance of autophagy can lead to various diseases, such as neurodegeneration, infection diseases, and cancer. A central axis of autophagy is formed along the interactions of autophagy modifiers (Atg8-family proteins) with a variety of their cellular counter partners. Besides autophagy, Atg8-proteins participate in many other pathways, among which membrane trafficking and neuronal signaling are the most known. Despite the fact that autophagy modifiers are well-studied, as the small globular proteins show similarity to ubiquitin on a structural level, the mechanism of their interactions are still not completely understood. A thorough analysis and classification of all known mechanisms of Atg8-protein interactions could shed light on their functioning and connect the pathways involving Atg8-proteins. In this review, we present our views of the key features of the Atg8-proteins and describe the basic principles of their recognition and binding by interaction partners. We discuss affinity and selectivity of their interactions as well as provide perspectives for discovery of new Atg8-interacting proteins and therapeutic approaches to tackle major human diseases.

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